The left turn confusing motorists
Many sa move readers and RAA social media followers were recently left stumped by a couple of turn-left scenarios included in an online quiz.
Of the 10,000 people who completed the quiz, 42 per cent of motorists said the blue car must give way in the below scenario. On social media many people stated that the blue car had to give way to the red car on the right.
Many motorists are clearly confused by the rules in the first scenario, with Anni saying, “I think the blue car gives way but I’m not sure” and Ben says “Pretty sure blue has to give way.”
RAA Senior Manager of Safety and Infrastructure Charles Mountain says many people may confuse the left turning lane for a slip lane.
“If there was a traffic island or painted island to the right of the blue car, then the driver of the blue car would need to give way to the red vehicle,” Charles says.
What to do when there’s a slip lane
The second question (below) asked that exact question, with almost half of people answering incorrectly.
Once again, there was confusion on social media. Tahlia says “…the red car [must give way] because they’re crossing a line, and the blue car has no line to indicate give way…”
Some social media comments left other people baffled. “The blue car – why do so many people not know the basic road rules?” Bob says on Facebook.
Since the image at Black Road and Manning Road was first produced, a ‘give way’ line has been installed across the slip lane, however, this does not change any rules and only reinforces the need for the blue car to give way when turning from a slip lane.
Charles says the blue vehicle must give way to the red vehicle turning right or any other oncoming traffic either entering or already on the road.
“In the diagram, a raised traffic island creates a slip lane, which means the blue car must give way,” Charles says.
“The blue car must also give way to any pedestrians or cyclists crossing or about to cross the slip lane.”
When designing an intersection, the decision for whether to use a slip lane or a standard left turn lane often depends on what the traffic conditions are like at the intersection.
For example, on a busy road where there are high right-turn volumes, a left turn slip lane allows more vehicles to turn right over a shorter time.
This reduces the length of right turn lane required, or the likelihood of the turn lane overflowing into the through lanes.